This year’s flu immunisation programme offers a simple nasal spray to help protect young children but it is only effective before the illness strikes.

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Health officials in Wales have issued an urgent call to parents of young children to get them vaccinated against flu.

This year’s flu immunisation programme offers a simple nasal spray to help protect young children but it is only effective before the illness strikes. The current free vaccines are available from GPs but all stocks will reach their expiry date by early January after which the likelihood of flu circulating is more likely.

According to the latest statistics, less than a third of the 62,000 two and three-year-olds eligible have been immunised so far in Wales which is 31%.

This is the first year of an annual programme that will eventually see all children aged between two and 16 offered the vaccine each Autumn.

It is in addition to other eligible groups such as those aged 65 and over, those in ‘at risk’ groups from six months of age with long term health conditions and all pregnant women.

Dr Zed Sibanda, a consultant paediatrician at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital near Llantrisant, said: “Two and three-year-olds are particularly at risk of serious complications of flu for a number of reasons. Not least, their immune systems are not yet fully developed so they can’t fight off the flu as well older children and adults.

“Flu is easily spread within families and also, because of the nature of play groups, toddlers are often in very close proximity to each other where they are especially susceptible to any circulating germs. Vaccination can help to stop the spread by protecting individuals and creating ‘herd’ immunity.”

Flu can sometimes result in serious complications, especially for young children or those with long term health problems such as asthma for whom it can even be life threatening.

Dr Sibanda added: “Two and three-year-olds cannot understand and articulate if they are starting to come down with flu like symptoms – so flu might not be diagnosed until quite late compared to an adult who would be able to assess their own state of health more easily.

“This means more likelihood of potential complications and unnecessary suffering for the child. But this can all be prevented by one simple trip to the GP for the nasal spray vaccination.”